Refine by channel:  Forum (13385)    Ask HJ (5908)    News (1732)    productReview (148)    Article (132)    FAQs (29)  

Sort by: Relevance | Newest first | Oldest first

• Recommend car for learners 25 Apr 2007 (Forum)
  These are the criteria I am hoping to fulfil: * Suitable for 2 teenage daughters to learn to drive in, this will not be their car, but the family second car. * Cheap insurance and running costs * Reliable * Some street cred ? daughter no2 refuses to drive the primera * Preferably 5 doors, but will consider 3 * X reg onwards * Budget around £3000 I am hoping that the girls will pass their tests this summer as no1 is already at uni and no2 goes in Sept.
• 2003 Fiesta - air-con causing shudder 23 Apr 2007 (Forum)
  However, now we are using it regularly, switching it on causes a series of random short vibrations which usually cease after 2 or 3 minutes of running. Engine idle speed drops considerably during each vibration burst. I also believe that we are only getting a small chilling effect from the air vents. Coincidence or related to the repair?? the repair comes with a 3 year guarantee if the problem is proven to be related.
• Ford Focus Electric Window U/S 22 Apr 2007 (Forum)
  Hi, Have a 2001 Ford Focus 1.8 Zetec with 95000 miles on clock. Apart from fuel costs it has cost me pennies to run so am reluctant to part with it. During the last couple of months the driver?s electrically operated window has gotten slower and slower until it finally stopped working today. Managed to slide it up ok by hand but it will need fixed.
• Mondeo 1.8lx (99) power loss 10 Mar 2007 (Forum)
  My S plate (99) Mondeo 1.8LX (Zetec-e engine) has gone from running perfectly well to suddenly deciding it only wants to rev to 4000rpm. After that, there's major kangaroo-ing and the power drops to tickover before picking up again. This happens when it's on the drive and when going down the road.
• Astra EGR valve 6 Mar 2007 (Forum)
  Presumably CO emissions would go up but would it fail an MOT? Apart from harming the planet with CO is there any detrimental effect to the car from running with the EGR blanked off? Thanks for any thoughts Stokie
• Online place for ford parts? 1 Mar 2007 (Forum)
  My car broke down the other day giving HG failure symtons but with the help of thsi site I diagnosed the problem to be the breather pipe which attaches to the oil filler cap was clogged causing crankcase overheating. Since I cleaned it out the cars been running much better, is less smokey and the mayo has gone but I couldn't clean out the tube properly so I just want to buy a new one. I have tried google but I can't find a single place that sells this part.
• Peugeot 306 Engine Management Light 1 Mar 2007 (Forum)
  There appears to be no pattern in why the light appears, but I have noticed that after half an hour or so in heavy traffic the engine will run on after switching off for a few seconds, following by the engine management light coming on the next time the car is used. Any ideas on why this is and how to resolve it? Local garage cannot see any apparant problems.
• Malicious damage 26 Feb 2007 (Forum)
  I notice though that some back room posters advocate such action, and one or two even admit to doing it. Surely this runs counter to the way most people feel? It's a criminal offence of course, although not one you are very likely to be punished for. But the real point is that it's extremely mean and petty-minded. I really can't approve.
• Mazda RX-8: reliable second hand buy? 23 Feb 2007 (Forum)
  Bearing in mind I do 20,000 miles a year, I fully accept the high fuel and oil costs but I am not hoping the RX-8 will run to 150k without major engine work required, like my Nissan QX and Mondeo TDCi. Many thanks, Gazza
• Congestion charging - where will the mon 21 Feb 2007 (Forum)
  To be diverted into other doomed and money losing projects like the CSA, the Criminal Proceeds Recover Office which to date has cost more to run than it has collected. d. Some other hidden agenda of which we shall never hear?
• Laguna Mk1 dci turbo 19 Feb 2007 (Forum)
  By the time I got into the nearest town and pulled off from the traffic lights all hell broke loose, smoke pouring out the back, engine accelerating without the peddle pressed. I managed to get off the main road and even with the ignition key out the car was running on the oil. I managed to stop and was recovered by the AA to my local garage. There is very little oil left in the car. Is it likely that there is engine damage and if I get a replacement turbo will this solve the problem.
• Peugeot TD or HDi 16 Feb 2007 (Forum)
  He's told me to get TD instead of HDi but I'm not entirely convinced about it because I presumed HDi is a newer engine so it'll be better than TD. I want a car that's most importantly cheap to run its reliable and its fairly comfy on Motorway because I'll be doing 80+ miles commuting everday from the 1st of March!
• Renault 1.5 dci egr valve problem 13 Feb 2007 (Forum)
  If I take this to be true (even though the car is serviced every 6k) can someone tell me whereabouts on the engine I can find it and is it an easy job to do? The servicing is done very regularly because it is used for multiple short runs every day (upto 30!). Its now coming upto 30k and its getting me fairly worried because I dont fancy a large repair bill if it can be avoided.........Gordon.
• What max budget? Repairs to my Fiesta 3 Feb 2007 (Forum)
  How much would this cost me? Is spending £200 on a car I have just paid £400 for stupid? The car runs fine, there is a few spots of rust but I have repaired the worst bits, the rest of the body is spotless and so is the chassis. Its an N Reg Fiesta 1.1 btw :) with 101.7k on the clock.
• scenic mot failure -emissions & brakes 27 Jan 2007 (Forum)
  today my renualt scenic 1.6 1998 failed it's mot, on front brake imbalance 26% and exhaust co3 content failed after 2nd fast idle (excessive) along with lambda reading outside limits after 2nd fast idle test... results ..... 1st test co 2.144% 2nd test co 1.756% lambda : 1st test .953 2nd test .963 i have been told by the garge to replace the cat but other people have just said it needs a good run and a bit of a service.. and for the brakes just strip the pads off and give the calipers a good clean!!! if any body has a few pointers that would be great
• First car? 2 Jan 2007 (Forum)
  Off the top of my head I quite like the Colt, Corsa and Picanto- i know the last one's quite small but seems good value for money. Does anyone have experience of a really good car that i should be looking at in terms of running costs, reliability and safety? Also, when is the best time to get a good deal on a new car? Thanks for your help!
• Can I decide who services my new Fiat? 1 Jan 2007 (Forum)
  I sourced the car by the Internet, and I am not happy with the supplying dealer. They have a dreadful reputation, and I have personal experience of them from when I used to run Alfas. The car is fine, no problems yet, but if there are any I really don't want to go back to the supplier. Can I go to any franchised Fiat dealer for servicing and/or repair work without affecting the guarantee?
• BR end of year awards 24 Dec 2006 (Forum)
  Its that time of year ............... my nominations for end of year awards: Top TV Show: Top Gear Best fantasy car: Bugatti Veyron (2nd year running) Most desirable car: A4 Cabrio Motoring hero: Richard Hammond Most overrated car: BMW Series 1 Biggest surprise: Beginning to enjoy the Mondeo Most missed: Adam - where are you?
• Redex or Oil Change? 24 Dec 2006 (Forum)
  At the last oil change (approximately 3 months ago) I put Magnatec oil in and also gave my 1.9TD Xsara a good shot of Redex diesel treatment. Along with making it run quieter, these two combined took me from getting approximately 400 miles from a tank to over 500... quite a substantial improvement! (I'm now getting over 55MPG down steep, Devon B roads when according to the handbook I should be getting about 45.)
• Renault Laguna - No drive... Clutch? 16 Dec 2006 (Forum)
  Now it won't drive at all, forward or back. The car is a P reg 1.8 RT by the way.... The engine runs ok, but there's now a rattle/grind when the clutch is not depressed (even in neutral). If I depress the clutch, the noise stops after a second or two. If I put it into gear and try to drive all I get is very loud crunching/grinding noise......